Wales named UK's 'knitting capital'

Wales is the knitting capital of the UK, according to new research from First Bus into the nation's hobbies.

The revelation comes as social media trainspotter Francis Bourgeois has hit the road for the bus operator's 30th birthday, revealing one of his other public transport passions – bus spotting. 

The new data shows that nearly one in five residents in Wales (18%) revealed knitting as their hobby, the highest percentage of any part of the UK. And 31% of residents think growing your own fruit and veg has now become a 'cool' hobby.

However, 24% of Welsh residents admit to having a hobby they want to keep secret, with over a quarter (26%) saying they are worried other people would find it unattractive.

And when it comes to bus spotting, Wales has the lowest percentage of people (12%) who would be put off a romantic interest if someone admitted to doing it.

But the figures have not put off famed railway enthusiast Francis Bourgeois who has been entertaining his millions of followers with a different hobby, adding 'bus enthusiast' to his list of interests.

To mark the company's 30th anniversary, Francis took a trip to the company's birthplace in Aberdeen, where he learned to drive an electric bus and heard about the role buses play in society and connecting communities.

New data from First Bus reveals 3.3 million Brits also enjoy bus spotting.

Francis said: "I know I'm known for the railway, but my enthusiasm for public transport extends to other forms too, like buses. I was thrilled when First Bus invited me to celebrate its 30th birthday at the Aberdeen depot.

"Seeing how much buses have evolved in the last three decades is incredible, not only the transition to electric vehicles but also learning about the impact buses have on society. Perhaps in another career, I could have been a bus driver... maybe I will become a bus driver!"

More than half of Brits (57%) admit that social media creators like Francis Bourgeois have helped shift the perceptions of certain hobbies.

A third (33%) of Brits also say celebrities have a lot of sway when it comes to making hobbies mainstream.

Top 10 celebs who have made 'uncool' hobbies, cool:

1. Tom Daley (knitting & crocheting) – 29%

2. David Beckham (beekeeping) – 19%

3. Henry Cavill (gaming & Warhammer) – 14%

4. Rod Stewart (model train collecting) – 13%

5. Joe Rogan (martial arts) – 12%

6. Justin Bieber (Rubik's cube) – 12%

7. Francis Bourgeois (trainspotting) – 11%

8. Cole Palmer and Phil Foden (fishing) – 8%

9. Seth Rogan (pottery) – 8%

10. Tom Cruise (fencing) – 7%